Spaghetti and Meatballs with Melted Mozzarella

1.Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2.In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined.

3.Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a plate.

4.Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the meatballs and set aside.

5.In the same skillet, add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste.

6.Bring the sauce to a simmer and return the meatballs to the skillet. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through.

7.Preheat your oven's broiler. Transfer the cooked spaghetti to a large ovenproof dish. Pour the meatballs and sauce over the spaghetti.

8.Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Place the dish under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

9.Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.